did i disturb a bee's hiding place? advice needed

[rog_pete]

I was digging part of the allotment and found a lot of burried wood, i was digging this out and then a very large bumble bee (I presume a queen) flew out from the wood and just danced around the place.  I left the area.  I went back today and she was still in the same area flying about.
The previous allotment holder had hives in the area where she is...

Am I going to have a bee colony this year?  not that I want one

any advice?  or will she fly elsewhere and find a nice new home?

thanks in advance

[rog_pete]

[Robert_Brenchley]

You might have a bumblebee colony, but don't worry, they won't do any harm. Just leave them undisturbed, and they'll die out in the autumn.

[irnhed]

It depends on why she's there.

If she's been hibernating there, she'll leave shortly.  Queen Bumblebee don't make nests where they've hibernated.

Alternatively, if she's looking for a nesting place (highly likely) she'll keep checking the place out.

If at all possible, don't disturb her.  Robert_B is right - the colony will survive the spring & summer, then die out in the autumn, when the new queen leaves to find a hibernating spot.

Bumblebees are precious creatures, and many species are endangered.  Although they're not as proficient as honeybees, they will pollinate some crops in & around your allotment.

Don't be worried about stings.  Bumblebees do have the ability to sting, but they only do so very, very rarely.  If you can leave them alone, you can enjoy seeing them coming in & out all summer.

If you do have to disturb the nest, it will be abandoned, and all the bees will die out.

Its possible that there is a residual wax / honey / propolis smell around from the old hives.  However, only honeybees live in wooden hives, and bumblebees don't mix with them.

Sorry, that sounded a bit melodramatic.  I guess you can see what I feel about the bees  :)

[rog_pete]

thanks for the advice, really good stuff
I am a bee lover too and have even thought about going on a course and doing some bee keeping myself, but one thing at a time... maybe eventually

unfortunately I think I disturbed her hibernating as I was digging around in a big pile of wood and soil.  I hope she will be ok and find a new home.

Bee's rock and are very cool little things  :) :)

[Geoff H]

If the queen does make a nest then dont worry. To get stung you would have to stick your finger right into the nest and touch a bee - I know i did it, when a bumble nest was disturbed and I was called out to it (I was looking for the entrance). I have stood in front of a bumble nest in shorts and T shirt and they were not bothered and neither was i. At home we had a nest in a stone wall by the side of our patio and we were still able to have barbecues and eat - the bees just flew over the table and between the guests.
Bumble bees are just so gentle and benign. They could sting repeatedly if they wished, the stings are not barbed, but they dont. In summer I love to sit on the steps surrounded by the lavender which isw full of bees and sometimes a bee will land on my arm or leg while it has a rest. Truly a gardener's friend.